Mirantis Kubernetes Engine (formerly Docker Enterprise)
Container management software
Container orchestration tools
DevOps software
Containerization software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
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What is Mirantis Kubernetes Engine (formerly Docker Enterprise)
Mirantis Kubernetes Engine (MKE), formerly Docker Enterprise, is an enterprise Kubernetes distribution and management platform for deploying and operating containerized applications across on-premises and cloud environments. It targets platform engineering, SRE, and DevOps teams that need centralized cluster lifecycle management, security controls, and multi-cluster operations. MKE combines Kubernetes with enterprise governance features and integrates with Mirantis’ container runtime and registry components for end-to-end container platform operations.
Enterprise Kubernetes distribution lineage
MKE builds on the Docker Enterprise codebase and provides a packaged, supported Kubernetes platform for regulated or production environments. It includes platform-level features such as role-based access control, policy and governance options, and operational tooling expected in enterprise container platforms. This can reduce the amount of custom integration work compared with assembling upstream Kubernetes components independently.
Multi-environment deployment support
MKE is designed to run across data centers and multiple cloud infrastructures, supporting hybrid and multi-cloud operating models. This helps organizations standardize cluster operations and security controls across heterogeneous environments. It is useful for teams that need consistent Kubernetes operations without being tied to a single infrastructure provider.
Operational tooling for day-2
The product focuses on day-2 operations such as cluster lifecycle management, upgrades, and centralized administration. It provides mechanisms for managing multiple clusters and enforcing access and governance across teams. This emphasis can be beneficial for organizations moving from pilot Kubernetes deployments to repeatable, managed operations.
Commercial platform complexity
As an enterprise Kubernetes platform, MKE introduces additional components and operational concepts beyond upstream Kubernetes. Teams often need platform engineering skills to design, deploy, and maintain the full stack reliably. This can increase implementation time compared with simpler managed Kubernetes services.
Ecosystem and portability tradeoffs
Some capabilities depend on Mirantis-specific components and integrations, which can affect how portable operational practices are across other Kubernetes distributions. Organizations may need to validate compatibility with existing CI/CD, security, and observability tooling. This can add evaluation effort when standardizing across diverse internal teams.
Cost and licensing considerations
MKE is a commercial offering, so total cost includes subscription licensing and support in addition to infrastructure. For smaller teams or less complex environments, the enterprise feature set may exceed requirements. Budget and procurement processes can also slow adoption compared with open-source-only approaches.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise / Commercial (Mirantis Kubernetes Engine - MKE) | Not listed publicly – contact Mirantis sales | Official product pages direct customers to "Get pricing" / contact sales for MKE. Mirantis offers a time-limited evaluation (free trial) to install an MKE evaluation cluster. No permanent free tier for MKE is published. See notes below for related store-listed items (training and node-based support for other Mirantis products). |
Seller details
Mirantis, Inc.
Campbell, California, USA
2011
Private
https://www.mirantis.com/
https://x.com/mirantisit
https://www.linkedin.com/company/mirantis/
